Patriots huge win over Bengals leads to something Jerod Mayo has never experienced before
September 8, 2024 is a day Jerod Mayo will never forget. Everyone counted the New England Patriots out before the season began. But Mayo had faith in his team and knew that, while they were going through a rebuild, they still had all the pieces to be competitive. And in their season opener, the Patriots […]
September 8, 2024 is a day Jerod Mayo will never forget.
Everyone counted the New England Patriots out before the season began. But Mayo had faith in his team and knew that, while they were going through a rebuild, they still had all the pieces to be competitive.
And in their season opener, the Patriots upset the Cincinnati Bengals, winning 16-10. Jerod Mayo got the victory in his head coaching debut.
"We're going to enjoy this one on the flight home," Mayo said to reporters after the game. "My message to the players, they gave me the gatorade shower and things like that, but without them, I'm nothing. I made sure they knew that."
It's clear that he has so much respect for his players, and in return, they love to play for their head coach.
With the clock almost at zero and the Patriots win already solidified, Davon Godchaux and Daniel Ekuale brought over the big tub of gatorade and dumped it on Mayo's head to celebrate.
"That was my first gatorade bath. It was cold," Mayo said with a smile. "I feel worse for my shoes. Those are done"
And his efforts earned him the first game ball, which was presented to him in the locker room by owner Robert Kraft.
"Every one of you contributed. I'm so proud of the new players, the new coaches. People had all the excuses that it couldn't happen. But you all did it and I'm spoiled now. I'm going to count on a lot more," Kraft said. "But most importantly, we're giving you this."
And the reaction from the players said it all. Ja'Whaun Bentley was hyped up while David Andrews had a huge smile on his face.
Andrews spoke with reporters after the game as well and gave his opinion on how Mayo did in his first regular season game.
"I can't imagine, because you don't have that much control," the Patriots captain said. "When you're playing, you can kind of control this. But hey it was a great job by him to get us ready this week."
Keion White, who had a huge day, finishing with 2.5 sacks, had a short but perfect answer too about his head coach.
"Doing it for Mayo was something special," he simply said.
This was only the first game of the season, but for a team that nobody had faith in, this was a very important win. And it's one that Mayo will always have to look back on.
